Swansea v West Brom: Memories of how it all started for Darren Moore
Back in April, it was a game against Swansea that kick-started a whirlwind few months for Darren Moore.
His first game in charge as caretaker boss finished 1-1 after goals from Jay Rodriguez and Tammy Abraham.
On the face of it, hardly a remarkable result, but after nine straight defeats under Alan Pardew, it was finally something to build on.
“I remember Carlos (Carvalhal) the previous (Swansea) manager, said some nice words to me in the technical area when the adrenaline was going,” recalled Moore.
“Words of comfort. He said ‘I wish you all the best Darren and sincerely hope it’s the first game in a long career on this side of it’.
“I looked at him and thought, even with this competitive edge, it was so calming to hear that from someone so experienced.
“It enabled me to enjoy the first game – I really did enjoy it.
“We drew the game 1-1 and felt we could’ve won.
“It gave the club a solid base to build from to the end of the season and into the summer months.
“It was an important result. It’s been a relatively short time since then but a long time if you’ve been in it!”
Despite Moore’s best efforts, relegation followed, and now he’s meeting Swansea in the Championship.
Rather than a reunion with Carvalhal, he will be reunited with former Albion defender Graham Potter. Although the two never played together at the Baggies, they do know each other.
“We were on coaching courses along the way,” revealed Moore. “I’m not sure if it was our A licence or B licence.
“He’s very knowledgeable in the game and is a fresh young coach. He’s got bright ideas and I look forward to sharing the technical area with him.
“It’s a while since we’ve seen each other, obviously two former Albion players, but also two lads relatively the same age and followed each other in terms of the coaching.
“The club is in transition and what he’s doing there is really impressive. He’s a Birmingham boy and I look forward to seeing him and sharing a glass of orange.”
Albion’s own transition under Moore has gathered pace in recent weeks thanks to back-to-back wins over Leeds and Ipswich.
Moore kept faith in the same line-up for those two games, but might make changes tonight, with Gareth Barry and Dwight Gayle the most likely additions to the team.
Kyle Bartley remains sidelined with his knee injury, but Bakary Sako has recovered from the knock that ruled him out of Ipswich.
“What we always do is look at the squad in terms of recovery and how they are,” said Moore. “If we need to chop and change one or two we have that within the squad.”
“From our point of view, we’re just looking to continue our run of form, keep our foot firmly on the pedal and keep that momentum going.”
Likely line-ups
Albion subs: Myhill, Mears, Townsend, Field, Barry, Sako, Gayle.
Swansea (4-2-3-1): Mulder; Roberts, Van Der Hoorn, Rodon, Olsson; Fer, Fulton; McKay, Celina, James; McBurnie.
Albion's key man
Matt Phillips has taken to his new role like duck to water, but will he be suffering from fatigue after a busy international break with Scotland?
Swansea's dangerman
Oli McBurnie has led the line well this season, scoring seven goals, five more than the next highest scorer at the club, and is capable of keeping multiple defenders busy.
Memory Lane
In May 1993, Albion lost the first leg of the Division Two play-off semi-final in Swansea 2-1. But the second leg at The Hawthorns finished 2-0 to the Baggies, sending them to Wembley.
Pie and Pint
Copper Bar in Castle Street is owned by the local Boss Brewery, a modern quirky brewery serving a mixture of punky pale ales and strong stouts.
